Elite Island Resorts Group, a collection of beachfront resorts in the Caribbean, is to launch new fitness and mindfulness options to its growing menu featuring free of charge wellbeing activities for guests. The group was the first in the Caribbean to introduce mobile free beaches in all resorts across Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados, BVIs and the Grenadines in 2007, and launched weekly wireless silent beach cinema in 2014. Resort activities schedules already include daily yoga, hiking and watersports, all included in the price of a stay. The new, free of charge additions to the “Inside and Out” wellbeing activities menu, launching at St James’s Club & Villas and Galley Bay Resort & Spa Antigua in October 2016 and additional locations from January 2017, will be added to the daily activities schedule given to guests on check in. They are:

• floatfit®CARIBBEAN aquabase® in partnership with Aquaphysical’s innovative Aquabase mats – A Fitness “first” in the Caribbean exclusive to Elite Island Resorts locations: The floatfit®CARIBBEAN aquabase®class is a 20 minute HIIT workout including burpees, lunges, squats, mountain climbers, the plank…. all on the oceans and pools at Elite Island Resorts locations. This low impact, cross training class gives a fun full body workout, and incorporates isometric exercises like the plank, plyometric exercises like burpees and stretching. It can be modified to include other routines including yoga. Classes will be available for sign up daily morning and late afternoon.

• The Caribbean Colour Me Calm Club – A bespoke colouring book featuring views and landmarks at Elite Island Resorts locations created by Puffin illustrator Adam Stower with additional easy beach and at home mindfulness techniques by Existential psychotherapist Dr. Nicole Gehl. The book is available to all guests during their stay and to take home, with “ink and drink” sunset sessions with colouring materials available daily. A good colouring session has been linked to relieving stress and anxiety, with mind and body syncing making it an easy meditative process. It is believed that Carl Jung was a big fan of art therapy and used colouring as a technique for relaxation in the early 1900s.

• Additional 4 Day Mindfulness Colouring and Sketch Club Workshops with Adam Stower in residence: Adam will next be in residence for a more in-depth workshop in August 2017 (see Elite Island Resorts website for details)

• A Smart Sun Protection Guide and bespoke advise by Ultrasun and resort team members: Correct sun protection is in the news again following the release of updated NICE guidelines and Elite Island Resorts has partnered with Ultrasun to ensure the right UVA and UVB filter level products are available at resorts. A free Smart Sun guide for all guests will be available at resort store, and store staff will be able to correctly match skin types to the right product for safe sun enjoyment. Ultrasun products will be exclusively available only at Elite Island Resorts.

Paula Whitehead, European MD, Elite Island Resorts, said: ‘From the launch of our mobile free beaches 8 years ago, we add ideas that encourage guests to maintain or begin wellbeing habits on holiday that benefit them long after their stay with us. We always do this in a way that allows them to pick and choose how and when without that boot camp vibe. Our new additions exclusive to Elite Island Resorts, Caribbean Colour Me Calm Club, Ultrasun Smart Sun service and Aquabase’s innovative floating workout, make it even easier for guests to take care of mind and body during their stay”

Hayes & Jarvis (01293 762 456, www.hayesandjarvis.co.uk) is offering a seven night holiday to Antigua with prices from £1,999 per person and savings of £404 per person. Departing on 16 May 2017, this trip includes a seven night stay at Galley Bay Resort and Spa by Elite on an all-inclusive basis, transfers and return international flights from London Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic.

Hayes & Jarvis (01293 762 456, www.hayesandjarvis.co.uk) is offering a seven night holiday to Antigua with prices from £1,299 per person and savings of £510 per person. Departing on 18 May 2017, this trip includes a seven night stay at St James’ Club and Villas by Elite on an all-inclusive basis, transfers and return international flights from London Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic.